Liturgical Ministries

Altar Servers are boys and girls that help the priest celebrate Mass.  These young people serve at weekend Masses, weddings, funerals, and other liturgical celebrations.  Anyone, regardless of age, who has received their First Holy Communion and is trained can be an altar server. 

Throughout the liturgy, altar servers are visible in their assistance to the priest.  For example, at the beginning of the Mass, the altar servers process into the church with the Priest, and they bring religious symbols such as the cross or candles into the sacred space. At certain points during the Mass, the altar servers will bring and hold the book of prayers for the priest.  During the Preparation of the Gifts, the altar servers stand either side of the Priest at the front of the altar to receive the gifts.  They then take the gifts and the water used by the Priest to the altar table. And at the conclusion of the liturgy the altar servers process out of the church with the Priest.

To assist those in our Deaf Community to receive the Word of God through Scripture, prayer, and homily, our 10:30am Mass is sign langauge interpreted.

“It happens that there are many different languages in the world, and none is meaningless; but if I do not know the meaning of a language, I shall be a foreigner to one who speaks it, and one who speaks it a foreigner to me.”
1 Corinthians 14:10-11

Lectors proclaim the readings of the scripture during the celebration of the Mass and read the general intercessions.

A lector must have a passion for Scripture; an ability to interpret and understand Scripture; and, sufficient public speaking skills to proclaim the Word to the assembly.

With deep love and reverence for the Holy Eucharist, the Altar Linen Care Ministry cares for the sacred linens on a rotating schedule. Training is provided on how to care for these special linens that contain the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.  This ministry is made up of team members who, behind the scenes in their own homes, reverently launder and care for the purificators and corporals used on the altar at Mass.

The Liturgical Environment Team is responsible for decorating the church and chapel to reflect both the liturgical season and the scriptural readings for the season so that the Liturgy can be more fully enriched for all parishioners.

Creativity is key for the success of this ministry. Those interested in participating in this ministry should have an interest in art, crafts, decorating, painting, sewing, arranging and caring for plants/flowers, and an eye for beauty.

Liturgical Environment is focused on the preparation of a space for worship. The main objective is to decorate God’s house in a simple yet elegant style so as to enhance, but not detract, from the people’s worship.  Changing decorations frequently and keeping plants and flowers fresh ensures the church environment is appealing to all.

The decorated space should invite all parishioners to enter into the sacred beauty of the Mass while reflecting the theology of the liturgical season. In short, the liturgical environment should elevate the community’s prayer and worship. Pope Francis wrote in Evangelii Gaudium: “The Church evangelizes and is herself evangelized by beauty in the liturgy.”

Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion assist the Priest to prepare and distribute the body and blood to the people during the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

This involves bringing the hosts from the tabernacle to the altar after the Lamb of God is sung or spoken. They stand at the altar with the Priest, pray with the assembly and reverently distribute the body and blood to the people.

The extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, who are usually adults, have special instruction before they perform this ministry.  Eucharist Ministers to the Sick also take the Eucharist to believers who are unable to attend Mass due to illness or disability.

Music is used to help people to participate in the Mass and lift their hearts to God.

The liturgical musicians help the people to respond through music and song during the Mass and lead the assembly at key points in the liturgy. The liturgical musicians could be those who sing individually as a cantor, play instruments, and/or join with others in one of our parish choirs.

Choir rehearsals are held on Tuesday evenings at 7pm.

The sacristans makes sure that all of the preparations are made for the celebration of the Eucharist. This includes ensuring the altar is dressed, the liturgical vessels, hosts and wine are ready, the Sacramentary and the Lectionary are in place, and any other items required for that particular Mass are ready.

Since March 2020, our Technology Ministry ensures everyone can hear and participate in Mass, both in person and online.

The Technology Ministry oversees the following:

• Live Stream Operation of Masses and Events
• Worship Aid Slideshow of Mass Music & Prayer Responses
• Sound system and Microphones
• Programming of the Carillon Bell system

Ushers assist at each Sunday Mass, Holy Day Mass, and other special occasions as needed. The ushering staff is made up of adult men and women who are capable of directing crowd flow and movement, take up the collection, assist with the presentation of the gifts, and assist those with special needs.   Ushers are the "open doors" to fellow worshipers; they welcome each new arrival and point them towards Christ.

The adult men and women who greet parishioners are the first ministers one meets when they arrive at the church for any celebration. Their warm, friendly smile set the tone for the worship experience. A pleasant, outgoing personality is important for the  greeters, who may also assist with and double as ushers at any given Sunday Mass or special occasion.